The News Reel with Zach Dennis and Brian Welk

On the latest episode, Zach and Brian dig into the week in film news with new trailers for La La Land, Loving, and Rules Don't Apply. They also look at the possibility of a live-action Pokemon movie, the latest casting addition to Sofia Coppola's next film, the latest actor to play Frankenstein, and who the highest paid actor in Hollywood was last year. This week, they are joined by Film School Reject's Erica Bahrenburg to discuss her article commemorating the 15th anniversary of Legally Blonde and how that film and Reese Witherspoon's character have influenced the latest crop of female-led comedies. They conclude the week with a look at the biggest losers ever -- angry people on the Internet about Ghostbusters.   Top Stories: Rumor: Pokemon movie is in the works First trailer for Warren Beatty's return to movies, Rules Don't Apply Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone swoon for us in first trailer for La La Land Jeff Nichols may have an Oscar contender with first trailer for Loving Colin Farrell joins the cast of Sofia Coppola's remake of a Clint Eastwood classic Javier Bardem is set to become Frankenstein for Universal's monster universe Steven Spielberg adds Oscar Isaac to his next project No one is making more money than Dwayne Johnson in Hollywood   Main Story: "How Legally Blonde Paved The Way For Today's Female-Led Comedies" By Erica Bahrenburg, Film School Rejects Twitter: @ericabahrenburg   WTF Story of the Week: People suck and are giving bad reviews to Ghostbusters before they see it Harold Ramis' daughter has something to say to the Ghostbros

On the latest episode, Zach and Brian look at the week in film news, which includes the death of two major names in directing, backlash from a former Star Trek star on a change to a character, Pixar promising to be done with sequels for awhile, and the addition of a new face in the DC Universe. The duo looks at this summer's slate of blockbusters in the main story and attempts to answer the question of whether or not this summer has been one of the worst for blockbuster fare. Finally, they conclude with a WTF story for the ages: Captain Kirk fighting Jesus?   Top Stories: R.I.P. Abbas Kiarostami R.I.P. Michael Cimino John Cho reveals that Sulu is gay in Star Trek: Beyond, George Takei responds Ubisoft says Assassin's Creed won't make much money, it was made for marketing Pixar says it will take a break from sequels after 2019 Justin Timberlake headlines new additions to Woody Allen's next film Kiersey Clemons to re-unite with Dope director for The Flash Steven Soderbergh set to take aim at the Panama Papers   Main Story: Is this summer one of the worst for blockbusters ever? "Is 2016 the worst summer movie season ever?" by Matt Singer "Five lessons we learned from this summer movie season" by Matt Singer "The sequels of 2016 aren't about storytelling: they're just brand extensions" by Mark Harris   WTF story of the week: The first draft of Star Trek: The Motion Picture had Kirk fighting Jesus

On the latest episode, Zach and Brian discuss the news from the week, including new trailers for Sully, Voyage of Time, and It's Only The End of the World as well as the announcement of a sequel for Wreck-It-Ralph, Peter Jackson teaming up with Steven Spielberg again, and new members to the Academy for next year's Oscars. In the main story, they look back at a few of their favorites from the halfway point of the movie year such as The Lobster, Green Room, and OJ: Made in America and conclude with a WTF story about the directors of Swiss Army Man remaking a Wayans Brothers comedy as an Oscar-contending drama.   Top Stories: Tom Hanks stars in first trailer for Clint Eastwood's Sully Terrence Malick makes a documentary about space with Voyage of Time trailer The first trailer for Cannes favorite, It's Only the End of the World, drops Disney announces a sequel to Wreck-It-Ralph A trilogy of movies about Tetris is being planned Peter Jackson is making a secret movie at Amblin before making Tintin 2 Justin Lin is rumored to be the directing choice for a live-action Akira Academy unveils a new, more diverse list of members   Main Story: 5 Favorite Films from the First Half of 2016 with Zach and Brian   WTF Story of the Week: The directors of Swiss Army Man want to make rated-R, dramatic version of White Chicks

On the latest episode, Zach and Brian discuss some of the latest trailers for Inferno and American Honey as well as news from Rogue One, Woody Allen, the Nina Simone biopic, and Eli Roth's studio debut. For the main story, the duo talks movie critics vs. TV critics and how the latter are succeeding in the new age. And they conclude with a WTF story about a man who died watching The Conjuring 2.   Top Stories: RIP Anton Yelchin New trailer for Inferno teases a return to the world of The Da Vinci Code First trailer released for Cannes favorite, American Honey Darth Vader is back in Star Wars: Rogue One Bryan Cranston will be a floating head in Power Rangers Kate Winslet set to star in Woody Allen's 2017 film Zoe Saldana responds to controversy surrounding her casting in Nina Simone biopic Eli Roth to make studio debut with Death Wish remake   Main Story: "TV critics are the new movie critics"   WTF story of the week: A man in India died while watching The Conjuring 2

On the latest episode, Zach and Brian look at some of the latest trailers for upcoming films such as Moana, Pete's Dragon, and I, Daniel Blake. They also dig into the latest news about a Wicked movie, Beverly Hills Cop 4 directors, Lady Gaga taking on a famous Judy Garland role, and Donald Glover joining Spider-Man. The duo is joined by The Playlist's Kevin Jagernauth to talk about his article about Warcraft and the Chinese box office and whether this is something we should keep an eye on for the future. They finish things off with the WTF stories of the week with awkward interviews with the Dalai Lama and Ryan Gosling.   Top Stories: First trailer for Disney's Moana teases their latest animated venture The new trailer for Pete's Dragon wants you to cry so hard The first trailer for the Cannes winner, I, Daniel Blake, teases a workplace drama Date and director set for Wicked movie adaptation A pair of unknown directors is set to take on Beverly Hills Cop 4 Domhnall Gleeson and Margot Robbie are set to meet Winnie the Pooh Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper to headline A Star is Born remake The Internet wins and Donald Glover is in Spider-Man movie   Main Story: "Warcraft, Hollywood, and the Growing Importance of the Chinese box office" By Kevin Jagernauth, The Playlist Twitter: @jag24fps   WTF of the week: Fox News anchor asks the Dalia Lama about Caddyshack

On the 50th episode of The News Reel, Zach and Brian reflect on the episodes so far and take a look at this week's news including a sequel to Passion of the Christ, a new team-up between Paul Thomas Anderson and Daniel Day-Lewis, the ladies joining the Ocean's Eleven reboot, and some updates on new Star Wars. For the main story, the two dig into the recent swing of poorly received sequels and ask whether this is the audience saying something to Hollywood or if this is a issue with quality. Finally, they conclude the week with three WTF stories including a ripped J.K. Simmons, a crazy first pitch at a Japanese baseball game, and Meryl Streep making fun of a presidential candidate.   Top Stories Mel Gibson says Passion of the Christ sequel is coming PTA, DDL re-teaming for New York fashion drama Mindy Kaling, Elizabeth Banks, and Helena Bonham Carter are joining Ocean's Eleven A Japanese pop star and TJ Miller join Ready Player One Jennifer Lawrence and Adam McKay to take on controversial drama John Boyega joins Pacific Rim 2 Anthony Hopkins needs cash and joins Transformers 5 Disney is beginning to intervene as Rogue One heads for reshoots   Main Story: Does Hollywood need to re-think their sequel policy?   WTF Stories of the Week: J.K. Simmons is getting jacked for Justice League Meryl Streep plays Donald Trump in New York play Characters from The Ring and The Grudge throw out first pitch in Japanese baseball game

On the latest episode, Zach and Brian take a look at the latest trailers for some festival darlings and Disney's Beauty and the Beast before discussing the Halloween reboot, Power Rangers sequels, and Mike Myers returning to acting. They're joined by The Verge critic Tasha Robinson to talk about her article on unfilmable movies for the main story before tearing up the dance floor with Oscar Isaac for this week's WTF story.   Top Stories: Disney releases first teaser for Beauty and the Beast Mike Birbiglia rounds up big cast in first trailer for SXSW favorite, Don't Think Twice Greta Gerwig, Danny DeVito star in first trailer for Wiener Dog John Carpenter helping with Halloween reboot by Oculus director Lionsgate says we can plan on seven Power Rangers movies Disney is already looking at making a Little Mermaid live-action movie Mike Myers returning to live-action with noir thriller role Ken Loach, I, Daniel Blake win big at Cannes   Main Story (29:18): "Does 'unfilmable' really mean anything anymore?" By Tasha Robinson Twitter: @tasharobinson   WTF story of the week (55:51): Every pop song works for the scene of Oscar Isaac dancing in Ex Machina

On the latest episode, Zach and Brian take a look at two of the more recent trailers as well as casting news for both Thor: Ragnarok and Black Panther. They also break down Daniel Craig possibly leaving James Bond, a Stanley Kubrick project coming to fruition again, and another sequel in the best movie franchise running. The pair also discuss the recent controversy surrounding the new Ghostbusters movie and look at a recent petition that could mean money coming their way.   Top Stories: Watch: The first Assassin's Creed trailer Watch: Kristen Stewart goes haunted in trailer for Personal Shopper Marvel releases the full cast for Thor: Ragnarok Black Panther adds Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o to cast Margot Robbie floats idea of Harley Quinn movie to Warner Bros. Rumor: Daniel Craig turns down multi-million offer to play James Bond again Cary Fukunaga to direct Kubrick-scripted Napoleon for HBO Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon returning for The Trip to Spain   Main Story: Is the controversy around the Ghostbusters movie about the actual movie or just hidden sexism?   WTF of the Week Petition asks Disney to stop paying movie critics to bash DC movies

On the latest episode, Zach and Brian take a look at some of the week's big stories such as the announcement of the new Han Solo, a Broadway adaptation, a sequel to a terrible 90s movie, and a George Lucas museum not happening. They also welcome Ryan Gimarc with Movie Mezzanine on to talk about his piece, "A Modest Proposal Regarding Blockbusters," and how this simple fix could help with the over-saturation of our summer movies. They also talk the WTF story of the week and how Melissa McCarthy reacted to the first trailer for Ghostbusters.   Top Stories: Alden Ehrenreich is the new Han Solo Tom Hooper is bringing Cats to the movies Space Jam 2 is happening with LeBron James Russell Crowe is joining The Mummy James Franco loses his new film because he forgot to get the proper clearance The Artist director is making a love story with Jean-Luc Godard Chicago won't be getting a George Lucas museum any time soon Hulu is getting in the documentary game with Ron Howard and The Beatles   Main Story: "A Modest Proposal Regarding Blockbusters" by Ryan Gimarc, Movie Mezzanine Twitter: @RGimarc   WTF story of the week: Melissa McCarthy was not a fan of the first trailer for Ghostbusters

On the latest episode, Zach and Brian take a look a the first

trailers for Snowden and Southside With You

before breaking down the latest news on the casting of Lara Croft

in Tomb Raider, a new streaming service for cinephiles,

new projects for Daisy Ridley and Marielle Heller, and a Martin

Scorsese biopic on a famous American figure. They also dig into the

summer movie season with a preview of what they're excited to see

this year and finish off with some news on the fate of the main

character behind the 2011 Richard Linklater film,

Bernie.

 

Top Stories:

First trailer

for Oliver Stone's Snowden

Southside With You teases the first date for the

First Couple

FilmStruck set to combine Criterion line-up with Turner Classic

Movies

Alicia Vikander is Lara Croft in Tomb Raider

Daisy Ridley will be The Lost Wife

Marielle Heller set to direct adaptation of gay rights

documentary

Martin

Scorsese sets his sights on a movie about George

Washington

 

Main Story:

Summer Movie Preview

What will be the biggest box office hit (besides a superhero

movie)?

What will be the biggest box office indie hit?

What is this year's critical darling?

What will be the surprise of the summer?

What is this year's biggest flop?

 

WTF of the Week:

Bernie Tiede, subject of Richard Linklater film starring Jack

Black, sent back to jail for 99 years to life